The world of college football eligibility is truly becoming more like the wild, wild, west each and every day. On Wednesday evening, 16 college football players were granted a sixth year of eligibility from a temporary restraining order granted following a lawsuit against the NCAA in a Louisiana state court.
Several players granted the extra year have already signed with respective NFL teams. Several big-name players granted include former South Carolina safety DQ Smith, Ole Miss players Dae'Quan Wright, Zxavian Harris and Wydett Williams, LSU linebacker Jack Plyburn and Notre Dame defensive lineman Junior Tuihalamaka.
Former Notre Dame DL Junior Tuihalamaka and South Carolina safety DQ Smith have both been named in a TRO that grants them a fifth year of eligibility 👀
— College Football Alerts (@CFBAlerts_) August 19, 2026
(Via @PeteNakos) pic.twitter.com/ITTCjuduS9
According to the TRO, which was obtained by On3Sports, the order effectively opens a one-week transfer portal window, starting from the Aug. 19 signed order.
The ruling is one of several lawsuits that have been filed in state and federal courts, as a result of Federal Judge Charlotte Sweeney's July 31 ruling that allows all athletes who started their career in 2022-23 to be eligible for a fifth season.
Her ruling, as well as the succeeding lawsuits, stems from the NCAA's age-based eligibility rule change announced in June. With the change, athletes were allowed to have five years of eligibility, starting from a player's graduation from high school or 19th birthday, whichever comes first. Previously, the NCAA gave players five years to use four years of eligibility.
The lawsuits filed seek to give players who only used four years of eligibility an additional year, given that they would now qualify under the new rule.
As for the likes of several players granted the extra year of eligibility, several of them are already on NFL rosters, including Wright, Williams and former Oregon State running back Anthony Hankerson. Wright plays for the Cleveland Browns, Williams the Arizona Cardinals and Hankerson the Seattle Seahawks.
Plyburn is on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and even registered two sacks during Tampa's preseason 24-16 win over the New York Jets last weekend.
“We are asking all courts to put the players back where they would have been if the NCAA had made the rule change earlier. So, had these guys known they were going to be eligible this year, they would not have signed with agents, signed non-guaranteed deals or participated in training camp,” attorney Ryan Downton, who represents the athletes, said in a statement to The Athletic. “In our view, as long as they can get a release from their contracts and give any money back, they should be permitted to play.”
Smith reportedly received rookie minicamp invites with several teams after going undrafted in April. Per ESPN, he tried out for the Minnesota Vikings in August, but he appears to not have signed with an NFL team at this time.
Could DQ Smith return to South Carolina?
At this point, it truly seems as if anything is possible, including a Gamecock return. Over his four seasons at South Carolina, he finished with 228 total tackles, three forced fumbles and five interceptions. At his Pro Day in March, he had an impressive 22 reps at 225 pounds on the bench press. He was not invited to the NFL's Scouting Combine.
But obviously it remains to be seen if it is possible for both sides. South Carolina is already well into fall camp, and will open the 2026 season in just over two weeks against Kent State on Sept. 5. At safety, South Carolina returned star Peyton Williams, and the likes of Quay'Sheed Scott Jr., Gerald Kilgore and David Bucey have been getting reps at the free safety and nickel spots.
If Smith truly wants to continue playing college football, you can't blame him for wanting a fresh start elsewhere. You can't exactly blame South Carolina or head coach Shane Beamer for feeling good about the guys he already has this far into fall camp, as well.
It should be an interesting next few days regarding the situation, and Coach Beamer will likely be asked about the ruling and Smith's possible return.
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